Project Foresight tackles sexting in Guam

About one in four surveyed high school students in Guam has received a sexting message, and some 40 percent of them know of someone who sexted or sent sexually explicit photos or videos.

There was one charge of sexting in Guam in 2012 and 10 in 2015 — and a total of 29 sexting charges in Guam from 2012 to Feb. 17, 2016. Seven male adults were charged, while 22 were charged as minors — 12 females and 10 males, according to the Judiciary of Guam’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools Project, the Guam Department of Education’s School Resource Officer Program and the Guam Police Department.

The data were presented at the launch of Project Foresight at the University of Guam on Friday.

“I think from the percentages that we received from the Judiciary and the ratio, ... that it is something to be alarmed about but I think there needs to be further research,” said Colleen Cabedo, who is leading a group of UOG students who initiated Project Foresight, a sexting and cyberbullying awareness campaign.

“[Sexting] does happen here in Guam. It happens in the Northern Mariana Islands”

U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco

The students have been working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Attorney General and key stakeholders to address what they describe as “the growing concerns regarding sexting and cyberbullying among Guam’s youths.”

“It does happen here in Guam. It happens in the Northern Mariana Islands,” said U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco.

From project to nonprofit

What started as a UOG student project will become a nonprofit organization, the team of UOG students announced yesterday. The mission is to caution minors and young adults about the implications of sexting and the harsh reality of what would happen if they were to share nude photos of themselves or others.

According to Project Foresight, roughly one in four teens ages 13 to 19 in the United States have been involved in sexting, which starts at an early age and becomes more frequent as teens become young adults.

Cabedo said while the Guam and national statistics are similar, the impact on Guam is more felt given the island’s small population.

Members of Project Foresight took turns sharing stories of teens who became victims of cyberbullying and ended up committing suicide. The also presented statistics and facts on the prevalence of sexting and cyberbullying in Guam and on the national level, and how community members can help the island’s young population.

“One in four high school students have received sexting and about 40 percent of them saw or know who has sexted.”

Manny Chong, Project Foresight member

“We know it’s happening but we don’t know how prevalent it is. ... The numbers are small here but it’s increasing little by little. I think this is proof enough that this is happening here. ... A lot of times they go unreported,” Manny Chong, a member of the group. “One in four high school students have received sexting and about 40 percent of them saw or know who has sexted.”

Annette Taijeron Santos, dean of UOG’s School of Business and Public Administration, commended the hard work and dedication of the students who started Project Foresight. She said it will go a long way in addressing the issue of sexting and cyberbullying in Guam.

Project Foresight also presented three public service announcements, and is hoping for an islandwide response to the growing concerns about cyberbullying and sexting.

Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio said the founders of Project Foresight did an important task of tackling a “very timely issue.” He said the project, because it’s a product of collaboration among entities including law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary, may well be on its way to become basis for government policies addressing cyberbullying and sexting.